Reconstructing the General Circulation of the Ross Sea
(Antarctica) Using a Robust Diagnostic Model
A. Bergamasco, S. Carniel and L. Caldesi Valeri
CNR-ISDGM, San Polo 1364,30125 Venice, Italy
Abstract
A robust-diagnostic numerical model for the general circulation of the Ross Sea
is presented. The model is forced by open boundary velocities and wind field,
while température and salinity values hâve been objectively analyzed from data
acquired during the Xth Italian expédition in Antarctic. Even if model assumptions could be improved (e.g. enhance the description of the sea-ice interaction,
use available wind time sériés and updated topography), comparisons between
current meters moorings data averages and reconstructed fields shows that température, salinity and velocity fields obtained are in good agreement with experimental observations and theoretical studies, even if velocity modules hâve been
under estimated.
1 Introduction
The Ross Sea is an interesting site where different important aspects can be
observed and studied. Water formation processes, water mixing, melting and
spreading from the Ross Sea and from below the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS), the Southern part of the Sea almost permanently covered by hundreds of meters of ice,
and the conséquent interaction with the circumpolar current are major topics to
be explored. The water formation below the RIS and near its edge is not completely understood: it involves interactions between the RIS and both the relatively warm cores of Modified Circumpolar deep Water (MCDW), incoming
from the Pacific, and High Salinity Shelf Water (HSSW), formed inside the basin.
Another interesting aspect of the région is the water circulation itself, which
can broadly recirculate in the Ross Sea continental shelf break before deepening
into the Pacific intermediate and deep layers. Its résidence time is an important
factor that can trigger the heat exchange between the Southern Océan and midlatitude areas, allowing the Ross Gyre to be one of the engines of the circumpolar current.
Last, but not least, the Ross Sea is located in a very critical position near one
of the earth’s Pôles; it can be extremely sensitive to climatic variations.
Therefore a good understanding of the mechanisms that drive the general circulation can be an important step towards the understanding of the possible
global change and its implications.
(Antarctica) Using a Robust Diagnostic Model
A. Bergamasco, S. Carniel and L. Caldesi Valeri
CNR-ISDGM, San Polo 1364,30125 Venice, Italy
Abstract
A robust-diagnostic numerical model for the general circulation of the Ross Sea
is presented. The model is forced by open boundary velocities and wind field,
while température and salinity values hâve been objectively analyzed from data
acquired during the Xth Italian expédition in Antarctic. Even if model assumptions could be improved (e.g. enhance the description of the sea-ice interaction,
use available wind time sériés and updated topography), comparisons between
current meters moorings data averages and reconstructed fields shows that température, salinity and velocity fields obtained are in good agreement with experimental observations and theoretical studies, even if velocity modules hâve been
under estimated.
1 Introduction
The Ross Sea is an interesting site where different important aspects can be
observed and studied. Water formation processes, water mixing, melting and
spreading from the Ross Sea and from below the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS), the Southern part of the Sea almost permanently covered by hundreds of meters of ice,
and the conséquent interaction with the circumpolar current are major topics to
be explored. The water formation below the RIS and near its edge is not completely understood: it involves interactions between the RIS and both the relatively warm cores of Modified Circumpolar deep Water (MCDW), incoming
from the Pacific, and High Salinity Shelf Water (HSSW), formed inside the basin.
Another interesting aspect of the région is the water circulation itself, which
can broadly recirculate in the Ross Sea continental shelf break before deepening
into the Pacific intermediate and deep layers. Its résidence time is an important
factor that can trigger the heat exchange between the Southern Océan and midlatitude areas, allowing the Ross Gyre to be one of the engines of the circumpolar current.
Last, but not least, the Ross Sea is located in a very critical position near one
of the earth’s Pôles; it can be extremely sensitive to climatic variations.
Therefore a good understanding of the mechanisms that drive the general circulation can be an important step towards the understanding of the possible
global change and its implications.